knock from front
 

Noticed yesterday a knock coming from the front right. After furhter inspection it appears to be coming from the top shock mount. I just had the alignment done and everything is tight and shocks are fine. Can I just snug up the top nut to remove the small amount of play? Secondly how do I adjust said nut? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

bump

how big is the nut you are talking about?

its the 19mm nut on the top of the strut.

Jason, Yes you can just snug up the top nut, as it does nothing to alignment. An impact wrench is the way to do it, that way you can get the proper torque on the nut. Other wise the shock will just turn as you are trying to tighten the nut.

If the top stut nut is tight, my guess is that the large nut (#4) that secures the cartridge in the strut housing has backed off and the cartridge is banging around.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/911_...974-75/4-2.JPG

Kurt V

if the large nut #4 is banging around, can I snug that up?

It can be done on the car, but is a bit of a pain. You need to jack the side of the car up so the wheel is off the ground (make sure you use a jack stand) push up the dust cover on the strut (#5) and using either large channel locks, if you can get access, or a drift and hammer, tighten the nut up.

#4 is the cap nut on the strut tube - the Bilstein inserts come with a wrench for it - it is a flat piece of steel with a 1/2 sq. cutout for a torque wrench, etc. be sure to do the math since you are adding to the moment arm for the torque wrench

I don't think the top strut nut (19 mm; aka # 11) would be the problem unless it was really loose & prob. not even then

you are probably in for that bit of a pain...

Are your strut inserts getting old? If so this is the time to get them renewed by Bilstein USA or replaced (by you). YOu will be doing about 48% of the work to replace/refurbish -- half since it's one side not the other and the other 2% for shipping or purchasing...

randywebb
I think my struts are in good condition. If I replace the strut insert is that #7? Will I have to pull the strut out completely? Is it possible that it may be the upper thrust bearing? That said, I didn't notice any knock today.

yes #7. IF they are really in good shape then all you'd get might be a "tune-up" but if they have slowly deteriorated over time so slowly that you did not notice anything...

You can be careful w/ the brake lines and just hang the strut top w/wire - no need to remove (BTW - how are your ball joints?). There are threads on how to do this if you search. Got a Bentley manual?

Why not post the # miles on your shocks for perusal by the bbs experts?
Also, how do you intend ot use the car? Bilstein can tune the inserts for you if that's what you have - and it is one of the few baragains in Pooscheydom.

I will have to double check what kind of shape they are in. Ball joints are all good. Got the manual, and the Bilsteins. I will probably pull it apart this weekend and see whats up. Thanks for all the input.

Could also be a wheel bearing......

Cheers

Thanks catca,
I thought about that, but I just rebuilt the hubs, and when investigting the upper thrust bearing, I did feel some play on the top strut mount when I pushed up and down on the fender. So at this point I am betting on the strut, or thrust bearing. Thanks.